A Literary Walker’s Guide to Edinburgh

Lovers of literature, welcome to the literary world of Sir. Walter Scott, Robert Burns, and Robert Louis Stevenson—Scotland’s preeminent writers and poets.

If you’re looking for a lovely city that accommodates solo travelers who admire literature and culture, try Edinburgh, Scotland.

The places I suggest for solo travel on my reading around the world literary trail are cities where I’ve traveled and felt safe, cities that are easy to navigate, and places that underscore the importance of the creative and artistic lifestyle.

About Edinburgh

Edinburgh, Scotland is a dual-designated UNESCO site. It was first designated for its Old and New Towns in 1995. It was also designated the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature in 2004 for its impact on writing and publishing.

We love visiting UNESCO sites here at Reading Around the World, but we particularly enjoy visiting Cities of Literature. (Stay tuned for more cities of literature that you may want to add to your list).

Book clubs may be interested in knowing that Edinburgh also hosts the renowned Edinburgh International Book Festival.

Walk with me through Old Town

The Old Town is the oldest part of Edinburgh and maintains its medieval look. It is a preserved UNESCO World heritage site.

You will hear it referred to as the Royal Mile, which is a sought-after strip for tourism in Edinburgh. The main street through this strip is High Street.

Walk this strip to access restaurants, cafes, souvenir stalls, whiskey shops, and hotels. It also hosts the National Museum of Scotland and the St. Giles’ Cathedral.

The Writers’ Museum. From the Royal Mile, you can access the alleyway leading to the historic Lady Stair’s House, which houses The Writers’ Museum. There, up and through its winding staircases, you will meet Sir. Walter Scott, Robert Burns, and Robert Louis Stevenson. You will also see the old printing press. It is free to visit.

From the Royal Mile, you can also access tours leading up Castle Hill to the Castle, Edinburgh’s landmark.

When in Edinburgh, you will often hear The Castle mentioned—as you should—since the Castle’s outline enhances the stunning city views.

Edinburgh Castle is one of the oldest fortified places in Europe and is a global tourist attraction. The castle is what you see from many points in Edinburgh’s New Town.

Walk with me through New Town

I stayed in New Town, on Princes Street, facing the castle.

The Caledonian Hotel, a member of Hilton’s Curio Collection, first opened as a train station in Edinburgh. Set in a notable part of the city, the hotel has a beautiful red-sandstone exterior.

I stayed in the Sir Walter Scott Suite and from my windows I could see the castle that Scott helped make into a famous cultural attraction. The suite also has books that you can read during your stay—like Scott’s The Waverley Novels and Wilde’s The House of Pomegranates.

New Town is centrally located in Edinburgh. It has more Georgian architecture, as opposed to the medieval you see in Old Town. The streets of New Town are walkable and similar to what you will find in a big city, but with a smaller town or municipality aura. The area is beautifully juxtaposed: busy shops, convenience stores, fast food, and tea rooms sit opposite the serene Princes Street Gardens and solitary cathedrals.

I enjoyed walking up and walking Edinburgh’s New Town alone in the early mornings, only me and garbage trucks on the streets. It felt serene. It felt safe.

George Street, which was named after King George III, is another main streets that runs parallel to Princes Street. It is a unique shopping street, rife with restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and boutiques. Many statutes adorn this street, including one of King George III.

It was here that I met the famous Scottish urban gull who enjoys early morning walks also. This bird walked with me a few blocks, my own private tour guide.

New Town is where you will find the National Gallery of Scotland, the Royal Scottish Academy building, and the Scott Monument.

Walk to Cathedrals

One unique aspect of Edinburgh is its cathedrals. I walked by a few and even stopped in one for meditation and prayer.

St. Giles’ Cathedral, which once laid to rest Majesty Queen Elizabeth, spans the Royal Mile on High Street. It is open to the public for prayer, contemplation, art, and rest.

The Church of St. John the Evangelist is one you can’t help but notice because of the architecture of this Scottish Episcopal Church. It is on the main Princes Street that and you will most likely walk past it in Edinburgh.

The Parish Church of St. Cuthbert’s on Lothian Road. This is the oldest Christian site in Edinburgh, per their sign.

Nestled in an area with gardens, a public square, and a cemetery, I walked past and noticed this church had exhibits from local artists and also offered contemplative meditation and prayer. I went in and am glad to note that they have friendly parishioners and stunning architecture.

The writer Agatha Christie was married at this church. It also has a famous “Tiffany of New York” stained glass window.

End with this respite for readers

To end your touring or walking, or to simply take a quiet reading break, stop by west Princes Street Garden.

A beautiful section of the garden adorned with roses and flowers, and some benches to relax, this public space hosts the beautiful Ross Fountain, a gift to the city of Edinburgh that has been restored over the years.

To join me on my reading around the world trail to learn new cities and read more books, please sign up for my newsletter below.